From the biography: When DLF CEO KP Singh fell out of favour with an important minister

It was January 1976, and the Singh house was aflutter. Charles Lachman, the 83-year-old co-founder of the American beauty conglomerate Revlon, and his girlfriend, the 32-year-old glamorous Countess Jaquine de Rochambeau, were visiting India. A few days earlier, a friend in America had called up KP and asked whether he could quickly put together a party for the couple while they were in Delhi.

In great haste, Indira and KP had planned an evening to host the couple. Given the couple’s glamorous profile, the guest list largely featured socialites and celebrities – people who would have much in common with the guests.

Indira walked around the home inspecting the floral arrangements, the candelabra, the crisp damask napkins and the gleam of the polish on the silverware. As she headed to the kitchen for a final look, she heard KP on the phone.

His voice was enthusiastic, but she could hear the slight concern in his voice.

KP had received a call from one of Bansi Lal’s aides, who informed KP that Bansi Lal would stop by KP’s home for dinner on his way back from Bhadkal Lake. India was in the middle of the Emergency, and Bansi Lal, a staunch supporter and confidante of Indira...

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